Free from what?
John 8:36 “if the son sets you free you will be free indeed!
John 8:31-32 “So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you
continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know
the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
First, who is qualified to be set free? The answer is given in verse 31.
It is His disciples whom Jesus describes as those who continue in His
word.
Second, how are they set free? Through a relationship with Jesus.
By habitually practicing what Jesus teaches and knowing Him
through obedience to Him.
John 8:33-34 They answered Him, "We descend from Abraham and
have never yet served as slaves to anyone; how do You say, You will
become free?” Jesus answered them, ";Truly, truly, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin has enslaved himself to sin.”
Sin is in all of us such as pride, love of self, envy, greed,
lies, stealing, cheating, adultery and hatred. We condemn
sin in others but justify it in ourselves. Jesus'; teachings,
based on God’s moral laws, identifies our sin and calls us
to turn from it while giving us instructions for leading a
new and righteous life. There is a difference between
hearing a teaching and practicing it. Jesus teaches that
what we practice is evidence of what we serve and if we
serve sin it leads to spiritual death. Yet in John 8:52 Jesus
says “if anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death"
Paul writes in Romans 6:17-18 “But thanks be to God that,
though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from
your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your
allegiance. 1 and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to
righteousness";. The apostle writes that “we are free indeed”.
After expressing there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus (Roman’s 8:1) he adds that in Christ Jesus we have been set
free from the law of sin and death (Roman’s 8:2). Because of that new
freedom, we are no longer in bondage to sinfulness, and now we can
choose righteousness.
Lastly, who is it that frees us? Jesus, the son of God. Jesus is the
way, the truth and the life. The reason Jesus can free us is because
He gave His life on the cross to pay our sin debt. As we put our faith
in Christ and turn from sin He forgives our sin and gives us His
righteousness. Those that follow Him are said to be in Him and God
now declares you not guilty and freed from the penalty of sin.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them
into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
(Matthew 7:24)
We encourage Christians to continue in His word. If you don’t know
Jesus he offers this freedom to you, today! Come – all are welcome!
Colby Reeves – member
Evangel Church PCA
423 Thompson Road, Alabaster
Sundays SS 9 am, worship 10:15 am
evangelchurchpca.org - livestream